No Sugar, No Artificial Colors, No Artificial Flavors, Sodium Free, No Wheat, No Gluten, No Soy, No Dairy, Yeast Free.

Warning: Consult your physician prior to using this product if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition. Discontinue use two weeks prior to surgery.

Distributed by: General Nutrition Corporation Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Health Notes

Disclaimer:
This scientific independent research is provided by Aisle7 and is for informational use only. GNC provides this information as a service but does not endorse it. Likewise, Aisle7 does not recommend or endorse any specific products.

For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary "Star-Rating" system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Dose: Refer to label instructionsIn a preliminary study, supplementation with a product that provided Pycnogenol (a maritime pine bark extract) and a standardized bilberry extract significantly decreased intraocular pressure in people who had elevated intraocular pressure.(more)

Retinopathy

Dose: 360 to 600 mg daily of an extract standardized for 25% anthocyanosidesBilberry extract has been shown to strengthen blood vessels in the eye and improve vision in people with diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy.(more)

Macular Degeneration

Dose: Refer to label instructionsSupplementing with bilberry may help prevent and treat early-stage macular degeneration.(more)

Dose: 60 mg twice a dayIn a preliminary trial, supplementing with anthocyanins (flavonoids found in bilberry) improved symptoms in people with normal-tension glaucoma.(more)

Cataracts

Dose: Refer to label instructionsBilberry is high in flavonoids called anthocyanosides, which may protect both the lens and retina from oxidative damage and reduce the risk of cataracts.(more)

Night Blindness

Dose: Refer to label instructionsBilberry is high in flavonoids that speed the regeneration of the pigment used by eye for night vision. Supplementing with bilberry has been shown to improve dark adaptation in people with poor night vision.(more)

Dose: 160 mg twice per day of an herbal extract containing 25% anthocyanosidesBilberry may lower the risk of some diabetic complications, such as diabetic cataracts and retinopathy.(more)

Retinopathy

Dose: 360 to 600 mg daily of an extract standardized for 25% anthocyanosidesBilberry extract has been shown to strengthen blood vessels in the eye and improve vision in people with diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy.(more)

Type 1 Diabetes

Dose: 160 mg twice per day of an herbal extract containing 25% anthocyanosidesBilberry may lower the risk of some diabetic complications, such as diabetic cataracts and retinopathy.(more)

Dose: Refer to label instructionsBilberry has been shown to prevent platelet aggregation.(more)

Edema

Dose: Refer to label instructionsBecause coumarin, hydroxyethylrutosides, and diosmin are not widely available in, flavonoids such as anthocyanosides (from bilberry), have been substituted by doctors. The effects of these flavonoids against edema has not been well studied. (more)

Dose: Refer to label instructionsSupplementing with bilberry may help prevent and treat early-stage macular degeneration.(more)

Night Blindness

Dose: Refer to label instructionsBilberry is high in flavonoids that speed the regeneration of the pigment used by eye for night vision. Supplementing with bilberry has been shown to improve dark adaptation in people with poor night vision.(more)

Dose: Refer to label instructionsBilberry has been used traditionally in Germany for adults and children with diarrhea. Only dried berries or juice should be used-fresh berries may worsen diarrhea.(more)

Dose: Refer to label instructionsIn a preliminary study, supplementation with a product that provided daily 80 mg of Pycnogenol (a maritime pine bark extract) and 160 mg of a standardized bilberry extract for two months significantly decreased intraocular pressure in people who had elevated intraocular pressure.1

Dose: 360 to 600 mg daily of an extract standardized for 25% anthocyanosides

Bilberry extracts standardized to contain 25% anthocyanosides have been suggested as a treatment for people with early-stage diabetic or hypertensive retinopathy. In a small preliminary trial, people with various types of retinopathy, including diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, were given 600 mg of bilberry extract per day for one month.1 While researchers found that the tendency to hemorrhage in the eye was reduced and that blood vessels were strengthened, there were no reports of improved vision. A small double-blind trial found that 160 mg of bilberry extract taken twice per day for one month led to similar improvements in blood-vessel health in the eye and slightly improved vision in people with diabetic and/or hypertensive retinopathy.2 Larger and longer clinical trials are needed to establish the effectiveness of bilberry for treating retinopathies.

Bilberry's active flavonoid compounds, anthocyanosides, act as antioxidants in the retina of the eye. Therefore, supplementing with bilberry would theoretically be of value for the prevention or treatment of early-stage macular degeneration.1 Bilberry has also been shown to strengthen capillaries and to reduce bleeding in the retina.2 A typical amount of bilberry used in studies was 480-600 mg per day of an extract standardized to contain 25% anthocyanosides, taken in capsules or tablets.

2. Mian E, Curri SB, Lietti A, Bombardelli E. Anthocyanosides and the walls of microvessels: Further aspects of the mechanism of action of their protective in syndromes due to abnormal capillary fragility. Minerva Med 1977;68:3565-81.

Dose: 60 mg twice a dayIn a preliminary trial, supplementing with anthocyanins (a group of flavonoids found in bilberry and certain other plant foods) improved visual acuity and partially reversed visual field damage in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (a type of glaucoma associated with normal intraocular pressure). The amount used was 60 mg twice a day for an average of two years.1

Bilberry, a close relative of blueberry, is high in flavonoids called anthocyanosides.1 Anthocyanosides may protect both the lens and retina from oxidative damage. The potent antioxidant activity of anthocyanosides may make bilberry useful for reducing the risk of cataracts.2, 3 Doctors sometimes recommend 240 to 480 mg per day of bilberry extract, capsules or tablets standardized to contain 25% anthocyanosides.

Bilberry, a close relative of the blueberry, is high in flavonoids known as anthocyanosides. Anthocyanosides speed the regeneration of rhodopsin, the purple pigment that is used by the rods in the eye for night vision.1 Supplementation with bilberry has been shown in early studies to improve dark adaptation in people with poor night vision.2, 3 However, two newer studies found no effect of bilberry on night vision in healthy people.4, 5 Bilberry extract standardized to contain 25% anthocyanosides may be taken in capsule or tablet form. Doctors typically recommend 240 to 480 mg per day.

Dose: 160 mg twice per day of an herbal extract containing 25% anthocyanosidesBilberry may lower the risk of some diabetic complications, such as diabetic cataracts and retinopathy. One preliminary trial found that supplementation with a standardized extract of bilberry improved signs of retinal damage in some people with diabetic retinopathy.1

Dose: 360 to 600 mg daily of an extract standardized for 25% anthocyanosides

Bilberry extracts standardized to contain 25% anthocyanosides have been suggested as a treatment for people with early-stage diabetic or hypertensive retinopathy. In a small preliminary trial, people with various types of retinopathy, including diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, were given 600 mg of bilberry extract per day for one month.1 While researchers found that the tendency to hemorrhage in the eye was reduced and that blood vessels were strengthened, there were no reports of improved vision. A small double-blind trial found that 160 mg of bilberry extract taken twice per day for one month led to similar improvements in blood-vessel health in the eye and slightly improved vision in people with diabetic and/or hypertensive retinopathy.2 Larger and longer clinical trials are needed to establish the effectiveness of bilberry for treating retinopathies.

Dose: 160 mg twice per day of an herbal extract containing 25% anthocyanosidesBilberry may lower the risk of some diabetic complications, such as diabetic cataracts and retinopathy. One preliminary trial found that supplementation with a standardized extract of bilberry improved signs of retinal damage in some people with diabetic retinopathy.1

Turmeric's active compound curcumin has shown potent anti-platelet activity in animal studies.1 It has also demonstrated this effect in preliminary human studies.2 In a similar vein, bilberry has been shown to prevent platelet aggregation3 as has peony.4 However, none of these three herbs has been documented to help atherosclerosis in human trials.

Dose: Refer to label instructionsBecause coumarin, hydroxyethylrutosides, and diosmin are not widely available in the United States, other flavonoids, such as quercetin, rutin, or anthocyanosides (from bilberry), have been substituted by doctors in an attempt to obtain similar benefits. The effect of these other flavonoids against edema has not been well studied. Also, optimal amounts are not known. However, in one study, quercetin in amounts of 30-50 mg per day corrected abnormal capillary permeability (leakiness),1 an effect that might improve edema. A similar effect has been reported with rutin at 20 mg three times per day.2 Doctors often recommend 80 to 160 mg of a standardized extract of bilberry, three times per day.

Bilberry's active flavonoid compounds, anthocyanosides, act as antioxidants in the retina of the eye. Therefore, supplementing with bilberry would theoretically be of value for the prevention or treatment of early-stage macular degeneration.1 Bilberry has also been shown to strengthen capillaries and to reduce bleeding in the retina.2 A typical amount of bilberry used in studies was 480-600 mg per day of an extract standardized to contain 25% anthocyanosides, taken in capsules or tablets.

2. Mian E, Curri SB, Lietti A, Bombardelli E. Anthocyanosides and the walls of microvessels: Further aspects of the mechanism of action of their protective in syndromes due to abnormal capillary fragility. Minerva Med 1977;68:3565-81.

Bilberry, a close relative of the blueberry, is high in flavonoids known as anthocyanosides. Anthocyanosides speed the regeneration of rhodopsin, the purple pigment that is used by the rods in the eye for night vision.1 Supplementation with bilberry has been shown in early studies to improve dark adaptation in people with poor night vision.2, 3 However, two newer studies found no effect of bilberry on night vision in healthy people.4, 5 Bilberry extract standardized to contain 25% anthocyanosides may be taken in capsule or tablet form. Doctors typically recommend 240 to 480 mg per day.

Astringent herbs traditionally used for diarrhea include blackberry leaves, blackberry root bark, blueberry leaves, and red raspberry leaves.1 Raspberry leaves are high in tannins and, like blackberry, may relieve acute diarrhea. A close cousin of the blueberry, bilberry, has been used traditionally in Germany for adults and children with diarrhea.2 Only dried berries or juice should be used-fresh berries may worsen diarrhea.

Cranesbill has been used by several of the indigenous tribes of North America to treat diarrhea. The tannins in cranesbill likely account for the anti-diarrheal activity3-although there has been little scientific research to clarify cranesbill's constituents and actions.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2016.

Label

To view the Label you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. You can download a free copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader at: http://www.adobe.com/acrobat/readstep.html